Biography of Sylvester B. Van DuserWayne County, NY Biographies

Van Duser, Sylvester B., was born at Fairville, October 1, 1846. His early life was spent in his father's mill
and on the farm, and received his education from the public schools. In 1863 he enlisted in Company F, Second Mounted
Rifles, N. Y. Volunteers, and was mustered into service February 4. 1864. He participated in all the engagements
from Spottsylvania Court House to the siege of Petersburg, and was honorably discharged at Buffalo, August 10,
1865. He is a member of Vosburg Post No. 99, G. A. R., department of New York, and has held the position of commander
three years, and was reelected to the office of chaplain last December. Upon his return from the army in the fall
and winter of 1865-66 he attended Marion Academy, and then occupied the position of clerk for E. P. Soverhill and
for Soverhifi & Nieholoy. February 22, 1872, Mr. Van Duser purchased E. P. Soverhill's interest and a copartuership
was formed with W. H. Nicholoy, under the firm name of Nicholoy & Van Duser. This continued twenty years, when
Mr. Van Duser purchased Mr. Nicholoy's interest and is conducting the general dry goods business on his own account
with success. January 2, 1872, he married Ellen A. Eddy, of Taunton; Mass., and they had six children: S. Eddy,
died in infancy, Sylvester B., jr., Orville B., Elizabeth E., Douglas H., and G. Rhodes. Mr. Van Duser's father,
Robert Van Duser, was born February 9, 1821. For the greater part of his life he was a miller, but later took up
farming. September 22, 1840, he married Phebe Rose of the town of Arcadia, and to them the following children were
born: Elizabeth, Frances A., Sylvester B. (as noted above), Charles E., Emma C., Robert A., and Hiram A. Mr. Vau
Duser died March 16, 1882, but his wife is still living. Mr. Saul Eddy was born in Taunton, Mass., February 16,
1819. He was educated in the common schools of his town and then learned the mechanics' trade. His wife was Abby
Clark, of Taunton, and the following children were born to them: Emma C., Abby A., Ellen A. (above noted), and
Alice E. Mrs. Eddy died in 1857; her husband survives and resides at the old home. Mr. Sylvester Van Duser is an
official member of the M. E. church ani one of its trustees. Mrs. Van Dnser is a member of the Baptist church.